Ruth 3:10-18
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor (continue)
10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
Today’s passage is Ruth 3:10-18. This is a continuation of Ruth’s and Boaz’s encounter at the threshing floor. Where yesterday, we examine Boaz as the near relative who was able to redeem, today our study is about Ruth. We will see Boaz’s blessing and commendation for Ruth, Boaz’s accepting Ruth’s request for him to marry and protect her by becoming her kinsman redeemer, and how Ruth portrayed a virtuous woman as she trusted Boaz and Naomi. According to the Biblical records, there is no evidence that Ruth reacted in any way deceitfully, selfishly, or anxiously.
After Ruth asked Boaz to place the cover of his blanket or robe over her as a gesture of marriage and protection, for he was her near relative and redeemer, Boaz responded and blessed her for her godly acts of righteousness. He said in Ruth 3:10, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.” Ruth has been gleaning in Boaz’s fields during the whole barley harvest. She worked continuously, except for an occasional break to eat and drink with the younger women who were also gleaning behind those who were reaping. From the very beginning, Ruth had a good reputation. Boaz heard everything about Ruth from the townspeople of Bethlehem how she left her family in Moab and came with Naomi to take care of her. Then Boaz said to Ruth, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward is given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:12). And now at this meeting at the threshing floor, Boaz said in Ruth 3:11, “And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.” Ruth took the marriage proposal into her own hands. While some may question this. We must remember that Boaz knew there was a nearer relative than he. Therefore, if the other relative did want to redeem Ruth, did fine; if not, then Boaz said he would. All in all and at the conclusion of the matter, Boaz accepted Ruth’s marriage proposal.
It is interesting to note that the word ‘worthy’ here in Ruth 3:11 describing Ruth, is not the same word describing Boaz as ‘worthy’ in Ruth 2:1. According to the Hebrew language, the word describing Boaz is strength, valor, having integrity, and character. However, the Hebrew word describing Ruth is ‘excellent’ or ‘virtuous,’ as seen in Proverbs 31:10-12, which says, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” The Hebrew Bible places the Book of Ruth immediately following the Book of Proverbs, which in the last chapter in verse 31:10 asked, “An excellent wife who can find?” The placement of the Book of Ruth liturgically answers this important question about who can find an excellent and worthy wife. As we read and study this Book of Ruth, we also will give approval and recognize that Ruth is the epitome of a virtuous and excellent woman. She is indeed worthy to be Boaz’s wife! They both have worthy characters, as recognized by God and by others. The Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” In the same way, we are believers, whether we are looking for a spouse or not, we are not to fellowship with darkness and share ourselves with an unbeliever.
After this hearing Boaz’s response, Ruth laid down until early morning, for Boaz said that no one should say that she spent the night with him. Therefore, Boaz gave her provisions of barley to take back to her mother-in-law. He did not want her to go back home empty-handed. When Ruth arrived home, she told Naomi all that the man had said and done for her. Naomi responded and said in verse 3:18, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
What a beautiful story of integrity. For those of us who have been blessed to have a Godly spouse who had a good reputation, good moral character, a love for God and his people, which is the church that Jesus built, and a love for His Word, you have been blessed beyond means. Praise the Lord! In application, we need to pray that the Lord Jesus will bind the enemy who hates Christian marriages and tries to steal their joy, kill, and destroy them. We need to be on the offensive attack by being true to ourselves and to God, each one of us. We all, men and women, must be devoted and chaste in our resolve to grow in holiness, which is to be like Christ. Ephesians 5:1 says for us to be imitators of Christ! Ponder this command with meditation and prayer. Compare how differently Ruth behaved as opposed to Tamar, in yesterday’s devotion. May we all become worthy [Chirstlike] subjects for our Lord Jesus Christ!
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My Creator God, Redeemer, and Lord! I praise and worship You for Your righteous ways and holiness. Teach me, Lord God, to follow Your ways and to become more like You. May I live worthily with a changed heart by the Holy Spirit when I was born again and came to the cross of Christ as my only hope of eternal life! May others see Jesus in me and glory You who is in heaven. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
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I am Resolve, by Palmer Hartsough in 1896
